To visit Lagos
Lagos is the center of the municipality of Lagos in the county of Faro. One of the most famous seaports in Portugal. It is a picturesque city in the south of the country that has a long history and has become a real Mecca for surfers and divers, not only from all over Europe but also from all over the world. Although the first written mention of the city dates back to the 6th century. The boldest suggestion by historians is that Lagos is over two thousand years old.
Historical and cultural sites, national parks, lapping ocean waves, warm sand, beautiful scenery, pleasant weather – what more does a tourist need to be happy? The natural beauty of the surrounding countryside deserves special attention. Majestic caves, azure lagoons and sheer cliffs jutting into the sea. Today we’re heading to Lagos, Portugal, to take a closer look at this port city: excursions, famous places, best hotels and local climate: find on this page everything you’ll need to visit Lagos and to answer your questions: what to do in Lagos? What to see in Lagos? Where to sleep in Lagos?
Guided tours and activities in Lagos, Portugal
First of all, if you want to prepare your vacation in Lagos a little bit in advance and book some activities or guided tours in Lagos, I have made a selection for you below. You will find the best activities and guided tours in Lagos to book in a few clicks. These activities are all conducted by people who speak English and can be cancelled for free in case of unforeseen events.
I have selected activities and private tours of Lagos that have been rated 5 stars by many people who have been there before you, it’s the guarantee to have no bad surprises and to spend a great time during your vacations in Lagos.
How to get to Lagos?
Lagos and the Portuguese capital Lisbon are only 291 km apart by normal road and 183 km by highway. So you have ways to get to Lagos from Lisbon if you are visiting the center and then the south of Portugal but also from Faro airport if your vacation is in the Algarve.
- By bus: Buses from Lisbon to the Algarve region run only during the day. The best way to get there is to go to the Oriente train station.
- Flight to Faro from Lisbon: the duration of the flight is 45 minutes.
- Train between Faro and Lagos: There are direct services from Oriente station to Faro. Travel time is about 2 hours. If you buy the tickets in advance, you can save up to 60% of the cost.
- Transfer services between Faro airport and Lagos: in the column on the right you will find the best private transfer services rated 5 stars.
Best hotels in Lagos in the Algarve
The town of Lagos in the Algarve has dozens of hotels and comfortable accommodations. Many of them are located near the beaches. The views from their rooms are breathtaking. Among the best hotels in Lagos you can note for example the Lagos Avenida, Lagos Atlantic Hotel, Vila Gale and many others.
The hotels in the old town of Lagos have some advantages like the proximity to restaurants, activities or beaches of the city.
If you want to book a luxury villa in the Algarve, I invite you to follow the link in the column. This link will take you to a website specialized in luxury villas. These are luxury Algarve villas with the option of heated pools, cooks, staff and more, so expect prices to be consequential but this is an option available on Essencial Portugal.
If you plan to spend more time on cultural recreation, it is best to stay at the Carvi Beach Hotel or Lagosmar. Both hotels are located in the historic city center. Casa Mãe is located a few steps from the city’s Maritime Science Center. Solar de Mós and Quinta Bonita are close to St. Anthony’s Church, and the Onyria Palmares Beach House is next to St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Restaurants of Lagos
The marina of Lagos, its historic center or its seaside are all places where you can taste the Portuguese cuisine but also other cultures. The restaurants of Portugal and the Algarve are very famous for their authentic gastronomy and their seafood dishes that you should not miss.Below you will find a selection of the best restaurants in Lagos, regardless of location or type of cuisine. It’s up to you to make your choice! It is not possible to list everything, so I strongly advise you to simply walk around the streets of Lagos and stop at the restaurants that you feel like. It is a very good way to discover the authentic local gastronomy.Mar d’Estórias Restaurant in Lagos
Every season, the Mar d’Estórias de Lagos restaurant offers different gourmet pleasures. The dishes are influenced by traditional cuisine and are made with fresh ingredients that are deliciously combined. This restaurant offers a unique menu that pays tribute to the Algarve, sustainable agriculture and seasonal products of the region. The “petiscos” are particularly tasty, as are the rest of the dishes at this iconic Lagos restaurant.Italian restaurant Borsalino in Lagos
An Italian restaurant in Portugal, ideal for a change of scenery. This Italian restaurant in Lagos uses local products to make its pastas, pizzas, and you can create your own dish by selecting among thirty high quality ingredients. This restaurant in Lagos offers its dishes to take away if you wish to spend the evening at home.Restaurant Dos Artistas in Lagos
This is one of the best restaurants in the Algarve, offering delicious cuisine in a charming setting. Enjoy a meal in the garden or indoors and taste seafood such as scallops or lobster, cooked to perfection. This restaurant in Lagos offers a sommelier’s cellar to accompany your meal with very good wines. You will find here surprising and delicious associations like the Saint Pierre, the mango and the orange. Reservations are recommended for the 2 to 5 courses of your choice at Dos Artistas de Lagos.Bar restaurant Nah Nah Bah in Lagos
The bar restaurant Nah Nah Bah of Lagos will make you travel in a friendly universe and very colored by the Reggae culture. You will be able to taste there very good burgers which forged him an excellent reputation in the south of Portugal. The Toucan burger was elected among the 50 best in the world. You can also enjoy different dishes that mix sweet and salty tastes that the chef brought back from Asia. The room also offers canapés to chill out after the meal or enjoy one of the many parties organized.Restaurant Casinha do Petisco in Lagos
The Casinha do Petisco restaurant in Lagos is only a few steps from the main streets and is constantly crowded, both in summer and winter. It is frequented by locals and tourists alike, so you will need to make reservations if you want to enjoy it. You will be able to enjoy delicious Portuguese style meat and fish dishes. The seafood is always fresh and the owners attach a lot of importance to the satisfaction of their customers, so you can go and eat there without any risk, it is a must among the best restaurants in Lagos.Shopping in Lagos
Like many cities in southern Portugal, Lagos is famous for its ceramics of all sizes, colors and uses. Souvenir stores usually won’t be able to offer you any authentic packaging other than a roll of newspaper. You can buy many different small cork souvenirs – and wrap fragile ceramics in them. Cork carving is another traditional craft in southern Portugal and in Lagos you can find a variety of products made from this material, from key rings and cup holders to handbags, hats and shoes.
Sometimes – and usually spontaneously – in front of the church, near the port, there is a small fair, like a flea market, where you can buy unique clothes or souvenirs.Weather in Lagos
If you decide to spend your vacation in Lagos in Alagrve, it is important to find out about the local climate beforehand. This will help you choose the best time for your trip. Night temperatures rarely fall below ten degrees, even during the winter months. Lagos is well protected by the cliffs from the northern winds. If diving, surfing, swimming in the ocean or sunbathing on the warm sand are your main goals, then the summer months are the best time to go.
The tourist season or “high” season begins in May and ends in September. Then comes the “low” season. This is an ideal time for vacationers who do not like crowds and bustle on the beaches. During the low season, the sun is still shining and you can go swimming, but Lagos (and Portugal in general) is slowly getting ready for winter and city life is returning to normal. This is the perfect time to enjoy a quiet vacation, go on excursions and stroll through the local streets.The beaches of Lagos in the Algarve
The many interestingly shaped rocks, caves and small coves, most of which are only accessible from the water, attract lovers of exotic landscapes. You can rent a boat or go on an excursion and sail along the coastline.
Some companies offer “dolphin tours” with the specific objective of seeing and possibly feeding dolphins.Lagos being one of the most popular seaside resorts in Portugal, you can choose between several great beaches. The most famous of them is undoubtedly Praia Dona Ana. Instead of sand, it is covered with fine pebbles. Although this beach is almost never deserted, you can always find a secluded spot. The view from Praia Dona Ana is breathtaking. The beach is surrounded by a cluster of jagged cliffs that some tourists climb in search of spectacular scenery.Camilo Beach and Praia do Porta de Mos are two other popular beaches in Lagos that are protected from the wind by cliffs. The first one is considered the biggest of the coast, in the surroundings of Lagos. They attract tourists throughout the season, making it unlikely to find a secluded spot.
Meia Praia, in Lagos, is a beach that has been transformed by nature into a minimalist beach. There are no mountains, rocks or caves. Only the clear ocean and the beige sand will offer itself to you. Compared to the other beaches of Lagos, Meia Praia has the advantage of not being crowded.Things to see in Lagos
When you get tired of the beach and want to discover new experiences, it’s time to turn to Lagos’ attractions on land. In the neighborhood of San Sebastian, you’ll find the church of the same name, which offers a beautiful view of Lagos and its surroundings, as well as the church of St. Anthony, which is a fine example of Baroque in its southern European sense. There is also the ancient Roman road of Fonte Cobert and the Chapel of John the Baptist, a memorial to the soldiers who died in various battles near Lagos.
In another area, Santa Maria, the most attractive tourist attractions are the remains of the walls and towers of the Lagos fortress, the armory building, the fort of the Bandeira promontory, which offers a magnificent view, and the building of the first slave market in Europe, installed in 1441 in a former customs building, which today houses an exhibition and a craft center.In the area of Odiashare, outside the city, you will find the parish church and Fort Meia Praia. There is also the fort’s namesake and one of the most popular beaches in Lagos. Luž is rather a religious center, supposedly under the patronage of the Virgin Mary herself. It is therefore not surprising that its main attractions are the fortress of Our Lady of the Virgin and the church of Luž de Lagos. 
